Rail-joint



A. HOFFMANN.

BAH. JUIN-l'.

' (Application Bled Apr. 25, 1898.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

. Patented lan. I7, |899. vA. HOFFMANN.

RAIL JGINT (Application led Apr. 25, 1898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No maal.)

ou 3M Nrrnn STATES.

ALBERT HOFFMANN, OF MILVAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Iatent No. 617,744, dated January 17, 1899.

Application filed April 25, 1898. Serial No. 678,742. (No model.)

To all whom, t 11i/ay concern:

Be it known that l, ALBERT HOFFMANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented a certain new and useful Improvementin Rail-Joints, (Case No. 1,) of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in rail-joints, and has for its object the provision of means for\uniting rails of considerable length which will permit of the expansion or contraction of said rails,while affording at all times a satisfactory and efficient connection without impairment of the practical continuity of the rail at said joint.

In systems of railway-rails wherein is employed the continuous-rail system or a system involving the .use of cast or rigid joints at the ends of the individual rails considerable difficulty is at times experienced in compensating for the necessary contraction and expansion of the metal under varying temperatures. It is highly desirable that as far as possible the rails be made continuous or formed in long lengths by cast-metal joints, since the ideal rail is one affording a bearing-surface or head which is perfectly even and continuous. It is necessary under some circumstances, however, to supply at intervals means for permitting expansion and contraction of the rails; otherwise in a system of rails of considerable length the weaker joints are liable to be fractured and other damage to the road-bed may result from the expenditure of the tremendous force exerted by the metal under the influence of marked differences in temperature. I have accordingly devised a rail-joint admitting of decided movement on the part of the connected rails,which, however, affords at all times a continuous rail-head and accommodates itself to any position which the rails may normally assume under the maximum orminimum temperatures to which they are subj eoted. The joint of my invention, moreover, permits of the formation and use of individual rails in continuous lengths and much greater lengths than has previously been practicable.

I may brieiiy refer to the expansion railjoint herein specifically described and shown as consisting of an expansion member or part disposed between the two united rails and adapted to occupy the variable space at the joint or between said rail ends and combined supporting-blocks and fish-plates designed to receive the rail ends and expansion member and iirmly support said parts in their respective positions. I have further provided means for locking the parts rigidly in their relative positions during the passage of a car or vehicle, consisting of a Wedge serving as a compression member adapted to effect the gripping of the several parts between the iishplates under the stress of the supported weight.

I will describe my invention more particularly in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing rail-joints embodying the features of my invention, wherein* Figure l is a plan view of a completed railjoint constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a side view thereof with the interior fish-plate removed. Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate means which I employ for locking the several portions of the rail-joint rigidly in position at the moment when the vehicle is passing over said joint. Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a modification thereof. Fig. 7 illustrates the outer [ish-plate, and Fig. 8 illustrates the inner sh-plate, of the expansible rail-joint of my invention herein shown and described.

The same letter of reference is used to designate like parts throughout the several liga rounded or convex end, which is adapted to K fit closely withinthe concave portion of the rail-section or expansion member f, disposed in the recessed portion f', provided in the iishplates a b when united to receive the connected rails.

- The expansion member conforms generally in size and shape to the corresponding parts .of the standard rail with which it is used, the

paratively large radius, and the head thereof rests upon flanged portions f2, lying within the recess f of the fish-plates.

I preferably connect the rail-section f with rail d by means of a link, whereby the curved ends thereof are always maintained in engagement. The right-hand end of the fishplate is provided with slotted openings b b, through which the bolts e e pass, securing the rail within the joint against any other than a longitudinal movement. The reverse of this construction, having slots provided in the rail ends, obviously may be employed i'f desired. The fish-plates preferably embrace the web and base-flange of the rail, as is more clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the drawings, thus maintaining the portions of the joint in perfect alinement. In Figs. 3 to 5, above indicated, I have shown means, however, forrigidly locking all portions of the joint in their relative positions during the passage of a train or vehicle, whereby the effect is practically the same as is secured by a rigid or solid joint. For this purpose I employ a bed-plate g, which rests upon the ties and has a central wedge-shaped rib g provided thereon, iitting within the corresponding opening provided between the lower portions of the fish-plates. Immediately the rail is utilized to support any considerable weight the tendency is to spread the lower portions of the fish-plates, which causes the upper portions'thereof firmly to grip the several parts of the rail-joint and maintain them securely in position.

Fig. 5 shows a slightly-modified structure wherein the wedge h is provided upon the lower portion of the fish-plates, while the wedge-opening is formed within the bedplate h.

Fig. G illustrates the employment of the improved rail-joint of my invention without the use of a bed-plate, the :fish-plates being spiked or otherwise secured directly to the tiej, forming a portion of the road-bed.

Figs. 7 and S illustrate the characteristics of the fish-plates employed in the preferred form 4of my improved rail-joint, said plates being separated to show the individual parts thereof and the recessed portions adapted to receive the expansion member and connected rail ends.

Within the opening f' may be provided a spring or equivalent means, the tension whereof is adapted to force the railsection f firmly in engagement with the rail CZ at all times. I also propose to place in the upper portion of the recess f. sponge-rubber orlike material, adapted to ,"prevent the vaccess of water, snow, or dirt to the interior of the railjoint through any opening at the free end of rail-section f. It may be desirable, however, to provide a suitable covering for said opening beyond the tread of the rail, which would serve the same purpose.

The expansion member or movable rail-sectionf, it will be seen, is at all times maintained iiush with the surface of the rail-heads, thereby preserving a continuous effective rail-head at the joint.

The operation of my expansion rail-joint will now be readily comprehended from the description of its construction appearing above. In Figs. l and 2 the several parts are indicated in the positions which they would oc cupy upon an extreme contraction of the connected rails, the expansion member being considerably withdrawn from its recess and its head becoming an effective portion of the continuous system of rails. It will be seen, however, that the continuity of the upper and inner portions of the rail-head is not affected thereby, the joint presenting a perfectly smooth and even bearing-surface for the passage of a train. Upon the'eXp-ansion of the connected rails the reverse action obviously occurs, the abutting rails of the system being forced toward each other, whereby the expansion member is actuated to move farther within its segmental recess. Thus at all times the railjoint is adapted to compensate for any resultant alteration in the lengths of the connected rails of a continuous-rail system, such compensation maintaining, however, the practical continuit-y of the rails of the system.

By employing my improved railjoint very much longer lengths of rail may be used than has hitherto been practicable, since the ensuing gap caused by contraction of the rails makes ordinary methods ofnniting the same almost out of the question. The number of expansion-joints per mile may thus be greatly reduced, since the same may be constructed to compensate for very decided alterations in the lengths of the united rails. Inasmuch as the actual expansion or contraction per day is comparatively small the movement of the rails under ordinary conditions will be but slight, and an inconsiderable creeping action shared by both rails united at the expansion-joint will readily compensate for any alteration of rail length, thus relieving all serious strain upon the joints.

It will of course be understood that the number of joints per mile and the amount of compensation accomplished by each joint will correspond to the climatic conditions of the particular section where the track is laid.

I am aware that the use of movably-disposed split rails at intervals in the line of railway-track has previously been suggested and that the segmental expansion rail-joint IOO IIO

is not broadly new. Mv present invention, however, is distinguished from the above by reason of its extreme simplicity of construction and its high efficiency and durability. In the form of joint herein disclosed the ordinary fish-plate and joint-chair are eliminated and a specialized form of fish-plate is employed for receiving both the adjacent rail ends and the expansion member and for locking the several parts securely in position when a weight issupported by the rail-joint. For securing the last-named result the iishplates preferably are associated with a bedplate having inclined faces, which is adapted to cause the said fish-plates to grip the rail ends and expansion member, thus locking the-same practically in a solid joint. As pointed out, however, this bed-plate may be dispensed with, if desirable.

The expansion rail-joint of my invention, having fish-plates of peculiar construction adapted to receive and embrace the rail ends and expansion member, is always capable of affording ample support for these relatively movable parts, while insuring their correct position and permanent alinement at all times.

By forming the rail-section b' upon one of the fish-plates it is seen that the squared end of rail c may be bolted into place between the fish-plates. Should it be desired, the rail-section b maybe dispensed with, and the rail c will then be provided with a curved end corresponding to the inner face of said rail-section; but I prefer the construction herein shown and described. The expansion member and its associated parts may also be altered in general coniiguration-for example, the concave and convex abutting portions of the section and the rail d maybe reversed; but the construction shown I consider secures better results.

It is apparent that further modifications may be made in the structure of my improved rail-joint without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I do not desire to be understood as limiting the same to the precise form of rail connection herein specifically described and shown, and

I accordingly claim, and desire to secure by these Letters Patent, the following:

l. In an expansion rail-joint, the combination with the fish-plates ce Z) adapted to re-v ceive the ends of the rails, said fishplates be- .ing provided with a recess fl, of an expansion member f disposed within said recess, and means for causing said expansion member to compensate for the alteration in the length of the connected rails, whereby an even and practically continuous railhead is maintain ed at the joint, substantially as described. 2. In an expansion rail-joint, the combination with the sh-plates ct b adapted to receive the ends of the rails, said fish-plates being provided with a recess f of an expansion member f disposed within said recess, means for causing said expansion member to compensate for the alteration in the length of the connected rails, and additional means for locking the several parts of the rail-joint in position when pressure is applied to said joint from above, substantially as described.

3. In an expansion rail-joint, the combination with the fish-plates ct b adapted to receive the ends of two rails, of an expansion member f associated with. said parts, means for causing the same to compensate for alterations in the length of the connected rails, and a wedge or its equivalent associated with said rail-joint,whereby the several parts are locked rmly in position when the joint serves to support a weight, substantially as described.

4L. The combination in an expansion railjoint with the fish-plates d ZJ adapted to receive the railends, of a rail-section b formed upon one of said fish-plates, a recess f being provided in said fish-plates, a curved expansion member f disposed within said recess, and means for causing said expansion member to preserve the continuity of the rail-head at the j oint, substantially as described.

5. The combination in an expansion railjoint with the fish-plates d l) adapted to receive the rail ends, of a rail-section b vformed upon one of said fish-plates, a recess f being provided in said fish-plates, a curved eX- pansion member f disposed within said recess, means for causing said expansion member to preserve the continuity of the railhead at the joint, and additional means for locking the several parts of the rail-joint in their respective positions when the weight of a car or vehicle is supported by the adjacent rail-head, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a system of rails formed in continuous lengths, of iish-plates c Z) adapted to receive the ends of two such rails, a curved expansion member f movably disposed within a recess formed Within said fish-plates, and means for causing said expansion member to compensate for the alter* ation in the length of the connected rails, whereby the effective surface of the rail-head is at all times preserved at the joint, substantially as described.

7. In a rail-joint of the class described, the

combination with two alined railway-rails, of

a segmental expansion member disposed at their adjacent ends, fish-plates adapted to receive said rail and expansion member and maintain them in their relative positions, and means for causing the expansion member to occupy the variable space between the rail ends, substantially as described.

8. In an expansion rail-joint, the combination with the fish-plates c b adapted to receive the rail ends,rof an expansion member f disposed between the rail ends and adapted to preserve the continuity of the rail-head at the joint, and locking mechanism comprising inclined or wedge-shaped faces adapted to maintain the parts securely in position when the joint serves to support a weight, substantially as described.

IOO

IZO

In a rail-joint, the combination with a pair of iish plates adapted to receive the ends of the united rails, of a bed-plate g, having a centrally-disposed, Wedge-shaped rib g', the said iishsplates being provided with inclined faces conforming thereto, adapted to lock the rail ends in position when the joint serves to support a Weight, and bolts e/ securing the rail ends and iish-plates in position, the same being inserted near the upper surfaces ot' the fish-plates, substantially as described.

10. In arail-joint of the class described, the combination with fish-plates ct Z) wherein the rail ends are adapted to be bolted in position permitting of their relative movement, the said fish-plates being provided with a seg mental recess f', of an expansion member f movably disposed Within said recess and eX- tending between the ends of the united rails adapted to maintain the continuity of the rail-head at the joint, means for securing a compensating movement of the expansion member, and additional means comprising coacting inclined faces for locking the parts of the joint securely in position when a Weight is supported thereby, substantially as described.

ll. In a rail-joint of the class described, the combination with fish-plates ct b wherein .the rail ends are adapted to be bolted in position permitting of their relative movement, the said iish-plates being provided with a segmental recess f, and a railsection b' forming one face of said recess, of an expansion member f movably disposed Within said recess, and extending between the ends of the united rails adapted to maintain the continuity'of the railhead at the joint, means for securing a compensating movement of the expansion member, and additional means comprising coacting inclnedfaces for locking the parts of the joint securely in position when a Weight is supported thereby, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 21st day of April, A. D. 1808. 4

ALBERT HOFFMANN.

lvitnesses:

HERMAN W. FALK,

EMMANUEL EMIL ALBERT WURsTnn. 

